John Joe Ward Interview

John Joe Ward.

On a brisk Winter’s evening Sally Ann Barrett and Emma Laffey drive to Cloonkeenkerrill where they meet with John Joe Ward. John Joe is also in the company of his neighbour Paddy Joe Finnerty. John Joe is well known in the area as a painter and decorator but has been the caretaker of Cloonkeenkerrill Graveyard and St. Kerrill’s Abbey for decades. John Joe credits Paddy Joe’s mother with helping to rear him following his own mother’s death and goes on to talk about his early life and Walsh’s forge.

Since this interview John Joe went to his eternal reward on September 21st, 2022. John Joe lies at rest with his late wife, Eileen, appropriately enough just behind their house and within the wall’s of St. Kerrill’s Abbey. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a n-anamnacha uile.

John Joe Ward Interview.